Buccaneers Receive Concerning Injury Update Regarding Former Iowa Star

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received devastating news about their former Iowa Hawkeyes' star ahead of the 2025 season.
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefsduring the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefsduring the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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With the 2025 NFL season just around the corner, Iowa Hawkeye fans may not see one of their talented alumni at the beginning of the year.

Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reported on Thursday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers' star left tackle Tristan Wirfs has undergone knee surgery earlier this week and is set to kick off the season on the PUP list.

Despite suffering the knee injury during the 2024 NFL season, Wirfs still managed to play in 16 games last year for Tampa Bay. His efforts during the team's playoff run landed him a spot on the All-Pro Team, making it his second time earning the recognition.

Before his time in the NFL, Wirfs was a standout tackle for the Hawkeyes. After three seasons as a starter for head coach Kirk Ferentz, Wirfs' incredible 2019 season earned him an ample amount of accolades, including being named First-team All-America by Football Writers. He would eventually be selected with the No. 13 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.

In his five years in Tampa Bay, Wirfs has easily become one of the best offensive tackles in the league, totaling four Pro-Ball appearances and one Super Bowl victory as a rookie.

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Dylan Feltovich
DYLAN FELTOVICH

Dylan Feltovich attended John Carroll University and started working for numerous sites in the On SI network in 2023 as a staff writer, including the Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes. He has covered high school and college events around the Northeast Ohio area for several years.